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Bison make hay with two sweeps in Cozad
COZAD, Neb. — Staying in their teens was not the score Cozad or Cambridge wanted to settle as McCook’s volleyball team toppled both triangular foes on Tuesday.
Not even mixed reviews could deter the Bison from dropping a boom on those host Haymakers 25-8, 25-16; and then taking two more from Cambridge 25-17, 25-14.
Junior Jaceea Hanson was on fire, lighting up the Haymakers with 11 kills while senior Riley Sis sent another seven sizzling past Cozad’s defense.
The Bison (8-3 record) also served 10 aces with seniors JoAnn Neel, Erika Fisher, Haley Potthoff and Sis delivering two apiece.
Potthoff’s back-to-back aces moved McCook ahead 20-12 in that second set.
“We played very well vs. Cozad to open the night. We were able to completely shut down their hitters and caused them problems with serve receive,” coach Dennis Troester commented. “We passed the ball well which allowed for a very efficient offense.”
Senior Holli Thomas totaled 16 assists and served another ace.
Seniors Jaden Bryant (12) and Neel (10) both reached double-digit digs. Bryant drilled another five kills.
Cozad (9-6 record) recovered to beat Cambridge which closed Tuesday’s triangular.
The Trojans (8-7) earlier took a 25-17, 25-14 defeat to McCook.
Sis systematically abused volleyballs for 10 kills including the last point of a huge 9-0 run during this opening set.
Cambridge closed within 14-12 thanks to Korynn Clason, Kati Moore and Shay Porter all scoring crucial Trojan points.
However, the Bison quickly buried those comeback homes beneath nine consecutive points for a 23-12 lead.
Hanson’s kill into the back corner finished a 25-17 win. The Trojans would not play as close during that second set.
Hanson (six kills), Honn (three) and Bryant (three) were good for another 12 terminations.
Thomas served three aces besides a Bison-best 11 assists and 13 digs.
Neel (six digs), Sis (five) and Bryant (five) kept many Cambridge points from hitting the Haymaker floor.
However, Nebraska Hall of Fame coaches are usually not easy to satisfy. A big reason why most of them win multiple state championships like McCook’s current leader.
“I felt fortunate we were able to win against a good (Cambridge) team,” he commented. “Seven of their first nine points were from our unforced errors. We managed to control the match despite our errors.”
The Bison will be busy again at this weekend’s Twin Cities Invitational at Scottsbluff. They play in a Friday pool starting at 3 p.m. against Scottsbluff (2-9 record), Sidney (10-6) and powerful Grand Island Northwest (13-1).